by HARVEYOPP | Mar 28, 2014 | Scott Henry
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…” (Romans 12:12).
Why is life filled with so many problems? The first reason is simple … sin! Sin is the reason for the tribulation and trials in our lives. Before Adam fell into sin there was no sickness, disease, death, or trouble. Tribulation immediately began after the fall of man. We read in Genesis 3 that the woman’s child-bearing will be filled with pain and sorrow as a result of sin. We also read that the ground is cursed because of man’s sin, and it now bears thorns and thistles. As a result of sin, man now sweats in order to provide food for his family.
Believers also have tribulation because of the hatred of the world. John 15:19-20: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” In other words, if you’re faithful to Christ’s Word by standing for the truth you will be persecuted by the unbelieving world. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
But there’s another reason for our tribulation … God is ultimately the source of all our troubles and difficulties. “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed?” (Lam. 3:37-38). God rules and governs everything in this world, therefore when we get sick or when a loved one dies we have to say, “This is the Lord’s will … this is what God has brought to pass.” That’s Job’s confession: “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10). Notice also what David says in 2 Samuel 16:10-11 when he’s being cursed by Shimei: “So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.”
Ultimately God sends all the tribulation that comes into our lives and He does so for His glory and the good of every believer … to conform us into Christ’s image (Isaiah 43:7; Romans 8:28-29). And we must understand and believe this truth if we are going to respond Biblically to the trials that inevitably come into all of our lives (James 1:2). According to our text, we are called to be “patient in tribulation.” The word “patient” literally means “to remain, persevere or endure.” In other words, our calling as believers when we suffer tribulation is to persevere with a calm courage that trusts God. To be patient in tribulation doesn’t mean inactivity … notice that our text also exhorts believers to “rejoice in hope, and continue steadfastly in prayer.” Are you going through tribulation? Then rejoice in hope because hope in God never disappoints (Rom. 5:5), and continue steadfast in prayer to God expressing your love, your need, and your thanksgiving to Him knowing that “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1), and that He “will never leave us nor forsake us” (Heb. 13:5). Therefore, we can face any and every trial with confidence knowing that our God, Savior, Redeemer, Good Shepherd, and Friend, Jesus Christ, walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death which causes us to fear no evil but to rest safe and secure in the arms of JESUS!
by HARVEYOPP | Mar 28, 2014 | Scott Henry
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
When it comes to religion, most people in our society think there are many roads leading to heaven. They say if a person is sincere and lives a moral life then surely they’ll go to heaven … no matter what they believe. But our text teaches there’s only one way to heaven, and anyone who teaches any other way is a liar who is deceived by Satan. Scripture teaches only one way to be saved from the guilt and consequences of our sin and that way is the person & work of Jesus Christ alone! Only by the love and grace of God raising sinners up from spiritual death and uniting them to Jesus Christ is there salvation.
Do you believe Christ is the only way to heaven or do you think there’s more than one way of salvation? Do you think if a man is faithful and sincere in what he believes, no matter what it may be, that he will be saved? Sadly, many church members think this is the case. Too many people, who profess to be Christians, say foolish things like, “Oh, yes, Christ saves, but let’s not be unloving by saying Christ is the only way to heaven. That would mean all other faiths are condemned.” You see, the gospel of Jesus Christ will be tolerated by most people if it’s presented as one way among many. But when it’s proclaimed as the only way, the exclusive way, then it becomes offensive to a pluralistic society.
However, is it a loving thing to tell people there are many roads to heaven, and if they’re sincere and do their best then God will accept them? No, it’s unloving because it’s a lie, and love always rejoices in the TRUTH!! (1 Cor. 13:6). Our text is very clear … apart from true faith in Jesus Christ you will perish! Jesus doesn’t say He is one way among many … No! He says He is THE ONLY WAY a sinner can come to the Father. Our text teaches there is salvation only in Jesus Christ! There is no salvation in the superstitions, philosophies or man-made religions that abound in our world. All other beliefs apart from true faith in Jesus Christ are doctrines of demons sent among men to deceive, and the ONLY loving thing a Christian can do is boldly and loudly proclaim the truth that Jesus is THE way, THE truth, and THE life, and that NO ONE comes to the Father except through HIM! (John 14:6). As we read in Acts 4:12: “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Be faithful in your Christian witness to say what God has said in His Word and let the chips fall where they may.
by HARVEYOPP | Mar 26, 2014 | Scott Henry
“And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Exodus 20:1-2).
There’s nothing more practical for us to recover in our day than a biblical understanding of love and righteousness. And the Law of God shows us what love and righteousness looks like in specific circumstances, and it demonstrates what it means to love and live righteously because the Law is a reflection of the character of God. A proper understanding of God’s Law is essential for a healthy Christian life. Exodus 19 teaches us that the Law of God is founded in grace and our obedience to the Law is the expression of our love to God and man. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40: “You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Jesus defined love as keeping God’s Commandments, yet we live in a culture where there is great hostility to the Commandments of God. Just think of how the public schools and the courts in our country fight vigorously to banish the Ten Commandments from the public arena. Think of how Chief Justice Roy Moore was put on trial in his own courtroom for refusing to remove a beautiful monument of the Ten Commandments from the Alabama Supreme Court building. Even within the church you’ll find professing Christians who say that the Ten Commandments were for Israel in the Old Testament, and if you’re found quoting the words of Psalm 119:97: “Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day long” you’ll be called a legalist. And yet the psalmist’s greatest expression of love towards God was to say “Oh, how I love thy law, O Lord.”
What about you? How do you view the Ten Commandments? Do you say with the psalmist, “Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day long” or do you find the Commandments of God restrictive, harsh, and something to be left in the Old Testament? Take some time today to read and meditate upon the Commandments of God because “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple…” (Psalm 19:7).
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